Community Forums

spectrum581 · 10-12-2016, 04:39 PM

Does anyone with a diesel motorhome add anything like an alcohol base winterizing solution for the air brakes, dryer, ect? I was told by a Freighliner service tech it is a good investment. What do you think?

Skip426 · 10-12-2016, 04:43 PM

If you servicing the dryer and pulling the tank drains regularly , I'd consider it unnecessary.

But then I prefer the , fire it up and drive south , winterizing method too.

jelag · 10-12-2016, 06:53 PM

skip has some great advice... if you drive by any large haul contractor, they have many units (trailers & tractors) sitting in the snow and in a lot of cases... like a logging truck... are set aside during the winter.. As skip mentioned... keep it clean... keep the tanks drained... service the air drier... I service all my stuff in the fall when I test for anti-freeze....

I personally have taken his advice as well... I'm heading south... will be at my winter home next month... my summer home is closed...

Skip426 · 10-12-2016, 07:00 PM

jelag ; I'll be through Chewelah , Deer Park and Spokane on Tuesday , If you hear air horns I'll be me saying hello.

Trackrig · 10-15-2016, 01:13 PM

No you don't need to add anything for storage or for use in lightly freezing weather. When was the last time you had your air dryer serviced. You'd be surprised how many people with DPs don't even know they have an air dryer.

Bill

dons2346 · 10-15-2016, 08:28 PM

I can't imagine putting anything into an air brake system. The idea is to keep everything out except dry air.

twinboat · 10-15-2016, 08:57 PM

There was a time, many years ago, when air dryers weren't installed in air brake systems.

In cold climates there was a alcohol system that would draw alcohol into the tank and lines.

Didn't remove the moisture but kept it from freezing.

Air dryers are a better way to do it.

96 Wideglide · 10-15-2016, 09:14 PM

Yep, thats where the wife thinks all that whiskey's been going

!

Trackrig · 10-15-2016, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

I can't imagine putting anything into an air brake system. The idea is to keep everything out except dry air.

They do inject products into the air system to keep them from freezing. Look up tannersystem.com for injecting Tanner gas into the air system to protect the air brakes down to -72F. The system is used in the northern winter states, Canada and Alaska.

Bill

dons2346 · 10-16-2016, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackrig

They do inject products into the air system to keep them from freezing. Look up tannersystem.com for injecting Tanner gas into the air system to protect the air brakes down to -72F. The system is used in the northern winter states, Canada and Alaska.

Bill

In looking at their website, it looks the tanner system is for systems that do not have a air dryer like our coaches have.

slickest1 · 10-16-2016, 03:12 PM

The only time you will need to winterize an air system is if you are going to running in severe cold temperatures. I used to run trucks in severe winter conditions and the secret was to drain tanks regularly and make sure your air dryer is serviced and working properly.
Methol Hydrate used to be used to unfreeze components until it was discovered that it caused damage to rubbers in valves etc. Then a new product that came out called saftey brake which was a mixture of Methol Hydrate and brake fluid if used sparingly would keep components from freezing without causing any damage.

For storage there is no need to winterize your air system other than to make sure all moisture is gone. All the systems now equipped with air dryers keep the systems pretty free of moisture.